What is Instagram? Using Instagram to build your salon brand

Now-a-days the world wide web is FULL of social media platforms, some popular, some not so popular, that companies and individuals alike are using to build their brands. One big name that might be giving you a little bit of trouble is Instagram! Often confused with Pinterest because they are both photo blogs with clever names, Instagram was recently bought by the social media giant, Facebook, thus acknowledging its importance in the online world.

Instagram is particularly useful for salon and stylists who are building an online brand and following for three reasons. Number one: it's a visual medium, two: it's mobile, and three: people love it.

Where people get caught up on Instagram is that it's an app. Yes, when someone tweets an Instagram photo you can absolutely see them online with a link, but when you go to instagram.com...this is what you see. A whole lot of nothing.

As an app, the heart of Instagram is it's mobility. If you have a smart phone you can download Instagram from your applicable app store.

Then you'll need to set up an account using your email and creating an username and password.

You can upload a profile picture and follow different accounts and feeds, but the most important part is the content you are creating.

Take a photo on your phone by opening your Instagram app and clicking the camera button the tool bar at the bottom of your screen. Take a picture of a cool style or the step by step process you are creating. Then Instagram lets you use a number of different filters to make your images look old-fashion, aged, super mod, or black and white. You can share your looks by linking your Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Tumblr and Foursquare accounts, or just sharing to your Instagram fans. This is a great way to capture and publish the good work that is happening at your salon on a regular basis AND brand it with a coherent look to support your brand.

Style Sync is an on-line social media training, personal branding and business education platform designed specifically for salon owners and stylists to help them magnify their image and multiply their results.

Style Sync, a division of Evoke Brand Strategies, is an on-line, subscription based social media training, personal branding and business education platform designed to help individual stylists and salon owners turn social media prowess into more clients and more money for your salon.

At Evoke Brand Strategies we develop digital, social and mobile strategies for salon professional, beauty, hospitality and entertainment brands. As branding and public relations veterans, yet early adopters of all things digital, we understand the importance of creating measurable, buzz-worthy campaigns that generate bottom-line results.

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About the Author:

Kelly Ehlers

Kelly Ehlers is a recognized leader and expert in social and mobile media for the salon and beauty industry. Her firm, Evoke Brand Strategies, specializes in providing innovative digital solutions for salons, stylists and brands looking to connect with their customers in today’s technology-driven society. By combining traditional PR and relationship building with today’s social platforms, Ehlers bring a fresh perspective to the industry. <br /><br />
Having literally grown up in the industry (her mother was a successful salon owner for 40 years), Ehlers’ unique perspective combines years of PR, marketing and social media knowledge with real-world salon experience. In February 2012, Ehlers launched her newest venture, StyleSync, teaching small businesses, salon owners, stylists and students how to easily utilize social media to grow their businesses and personal brands. <br /><br />
For more, go to <a href="http://www.evokebrands.com" target="_blank">www.evokebrands.com</a>, and follow her blog at <a href="http://www.stylesync.me" target="_blank">www.stylesync.me</a>.